Winnipeg police investigating possibility of arson in massive Point Douglas industrial fire

Winnipeg police are investigating the possibility a massive fire that destroyed a Point Douglas industrial building was deliberately set, but haven't reached any conclusions yet.

Fire crews were called to the blaze at Sutherland Avenue, between Maple Street N. and Argyle Street N., shortly after 5 a.m. Tuesday and were on scene for most of the day. 

The Tuesday morning fire sent black plumes of smoke over the area, forcing some people out of their homes. 

After initially saying on Friday that the major crimes unit of the Winnipeg Police Service is investigating the fire as an arson, a spokesperson later walked that back, citing a "communication error" on the part of the police service.

"It's not an arson investigation — it's just an investigation to either confirm that there is arson or eliminate the possibility that there was arson," Const. Claude Chancy told CBC late Friday afternoon.

Fire officials said Tuesday that there were businesses operating in part of the complex, but there was no one inside the building when the fire broke out. No injuries were reported.